Iles Sandwich: Bapteme Du Premier Ministre Du Roi, A Bord De L’Uranie.

Freycinet sighted Hawaii on 5 August 1819 and dropped anchor in Kealakekua Bay three days later. Kamehameha I, the first king of a unified Hawaii had just died and according to Hawaiian custom, his palace was burned to ashes and pigs were slaughtered for the funeral. As a result, Freycinet was initially unable to supply his ships with provisions. During the one month stay, the artists were able to provide a unique record of island life prior to European settlement. These engraved images are amongst the finest prints ever made during the period of the great voyages of exploration. During a visit aboard the ship, the king&#8217s prime minister had been &#8216struck by the chaplain&#8217s costume&#8217. Informed of the functions of this ecclesiastic, he made it known that he had long wanted to be a Christian and therefore begged to be baptized. The ceremony took place on board in the presence of the Queen Mother. Freycinet acted as godfather and Gabert, his clerk, as godmother.